Travel lock and movable shield plate for field gun mounts



March 1950 J. P. O'SULLIVAN 2,

TRAVEL LOCK AND MOVABLE SHIELD PLATE FOR FIELD GUN MOUNTS Filed June 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l N VEN TOR. JOHN P OSULLIVAN a emmvmm HTTORNE'Y5.

March 21, 1950 J. P. O'SULLIVAN TRAVEL LOCK AND MOVABLE SHIELD PLATE FOR FIELD GUN MOUNTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1945 INVENTOR. JOHN F? OSULLWAN 6? zemm jfflm HTTORNE'YS.

March 0 J. P. O'SULLIVAN TRAVEL LOCK AND MOVABLE SHIELD PLATE FOR FIELD GUN MOUNTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June" 28, 1945 INVENTOR. JOHN D. O'SULLJVAN BY 4 camvmflfiww HTTOENEYG.

March 21, 1950 J. P. OSULLIVAN TRAVEL LOCK AND MOVABLE SHIELD PLATE FOR FIELD GUN MOUNTS File d June 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 21, 1950 TRAVEL LOCK AND MOVABLE SHIELD PLATE FOR FIELD GUN MOUNTS John P. OSulliyan, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application. June 28, 1945;. Serial No. 602,138

6' Claims. (Cl. 89 -40) (Granted under the act of amended. April 30, 1928;.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to meet any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a guncarriage and more particularly to a wheeled artillery piece of the type having a splittrail and other components that are arranged for" movement into and out of various positions according to whether the piece isbeing transported or emplaced.

In the usual artillery piece of the type referred to, the weapon includes a main. frame having a; pair of trails arranged for movement together when the weapon is being towed and for spreading when the weapon is prepared for firing, the trails in the latter position providing support for the weapon. When the piece is being towed or transported, the gun tube and cradle assembly is locked to the main frame by a traveling lock. Other components of the weapons such as the aprons and shields are likewise folded to facilitate transport. When the weapon is emplaced for firing, these various components must be moved to firing positions; that is, the travelinglock must be released so" that the tube and cradle assembly may have free movement in traverse or elevation and depression and the aprons and shields must be arranged in positions affording the desired protection to the gunner and to the pieoeitself.

A weapon of'this type, that is, one: that isnot self-propelled, presents many problems limiting its maneuverability and consequently it has here'- tofore required considerable time to position the weapon for firing, inasmuch as several operations were involved, including the operation of various latchesland connections and to dispose the various components of: the weapon: in firing positions. According to the present invention; these difll culties have been substantially eliminated and the time required. for emplacement greatly re" duced.

The principal object of the presentinvention is to provide an artillery weapon of'the type referred to in which the positioning'o'f certain partsfo'r firing will automatically result in arranging; other parts of the weapon in. firing position.

It is an important object of. the invention: to provide, in a: weapon having split trails,.means connected to at least: one of. the trails for actuating other components of theweapon upon spreading of the trails when the weapon is enrplaced. It is specifically an objectofithe 'invenitiorr to release the traveling lockiand' armor apron of. the weapon upon. spread-ingot the-trails and March 3, 1883, as 370 0. G. 757) to effect movement of the lock and armor to battery positions automatically.

It is another object of the invention to connect the apron and traveling lock, or like components; to the trails in such a manner that when the trails are closed andthe weapon arranged for transport, the armor apron will be restored to its traveling position and the traveling lock will be disposed in such a manner that reconnectionthereof to the tube and cradle assembly will be facilitated.-

The invention has for another object the provision of means of the type referred to that may be incorporated in a standard artillery piece without essentially modifying the basic constructiorr thereof, so that the modification may be easily made-in the hold.

Other objects and important features of the inventionwill: become apparentfrom: the following? detailed description of a preferred: embodiment of the invention as shown in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. I isa plan View of an artillery weapon embodying one form ofthe invention; the piecebeing empla'ced;

Fig-21s an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially onthe line2:"2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the connection between one trail and the traveling lock of the weapon atthe instant of release of the: plunger 39 from the locking member 35 the'vi'ew' illustrating in broken lines the positions of the parts when the trail is in closedposition and at the instant the locking memberis forced upward with its opening 3'! aligned: with.- the plunger 3-1.

Fig. 3' is an enlarged, -longitudinal-,1fragmentary sectional view taken generally on the line 3 -3- of Fig. 1' and: showing the apron or firingshield in transport position in full lines and battery position in broken lines;

Fig.- 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal seclliOll'iii View taken. substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and'showing the arrangement between the axleand su-pportofv the weapon and the tubeand-cradle assembly and traveling look;

Figure5-isabottom view of the travel lock as illustrated in. Figure 4.

Figure 6 is atop view of the parts shown in-Figure-5;-

Figure-7 is a sectional View taken on line l-l of Figure 6-;.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the locking member.

As previously stated, the piece chosen for the purposes-f ofillustration. is of standard construcprises a transverse axle Ill journalling wheels H at its opposite ends. A transverse support I2 is disposed rearwardly of and generally parallels the axle ID and is connected to the axle H] by means of bracket structure I3. The bracket l3 includes a forward extension. which has a depending ear l4 through which is passed a pivot pin I5 for the purpose of mounting the support [2 on the axle It for vertical oscillation about a longitudinal horizontal axis through the pin P5.

The support I 2 is provided at transversely spaced points thereon with vertical pivot members It, only one of which is shown in Fig. 1, to each of which is pivotally connected the forward end of a rearwardly extending trail 11. These trails include at their rearward ends spades l8 and latch means IQ for latching the trails together when the trails are closed for transporting of the weapon. The rearward end of one of the trails may be provided with a lunette in the usual manner by means of which the piece may be towed behind a prime mover.

The supporting structure comprising the support I2 and bracket l3 carries rigidly thereon a frame member including a pair of upstanding side supporting members 2| which'support on trunnions 22 a tube and cradle assembly comprising a gun tube 23 and cradle 24. The structure just described may be of conventional design and has therefore not been illustrated in detail.

The piece is provided with a traveling lock, which may also be of' conventional construction, for IOCking the tube and cradle assembly against swinging movement through traverse or elevation and depression while the piece is being towed. As best shown in Fig. 4, the transverse support l2 includes rearwardlv and downwardly extending bracket structure'25 provided with a transverse pivot pin 26 on which is pivoted a rearwardly extending swinging arm 21 constituting the main body member of the lock. The bracket structure includes a generally c-shaped stop member having a pair of angularly spaced stop portions 28 that cooperate with 2. lug 29 on the swinging arm 21 for limiting swinging movement of the arm either upwardly or downwardly;

A rearward portion of the tube and cradle as lsembl includes a depending bracket 30 rigidly fixed on the cradle having set therein across its lower end a transverse, cylindrical pin 32 posi- "tioned to engage in respective aligned spaced apart saddle-like seats having semi-cylindrical recesses 3! formed on each side of the arm 2'! at its rearward swinging end. When the parts are in traveling position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each end of the pin 32 fits the adjacent recess 3|. Adjacent its rear end the swinging arm 21 is provided with transverse pivot means includin a pair of depending ears 33, which serve by means of transverse pins 34, 34' to pivotally carry a lever or lock member 35. As best shown in Figs.

2 and 4, the member 35 extends forwardly and has an upwardly projecting tongue portion 36 provided with an opening 31. The portion 36 projects through a slot 38 in the under transverse portion of the swinging arm 21. -When the parts are in traveling position, that is, with the swingbracket 30 on the cradle 2 2.

ing arm 27 in its uppermost position, the opening 31 in the lock member 35 is adapted to receive the inner end of a plunger 39 slidably carried by a sleeve portion 40 that is integrally formed with or rigidly secured to the swinging arm 21. The plunger39 is mounted in a bore ll in the sleeve ill and is normally spring pressed by a spring 42 into engagement with the portion 35 on the looking member 35 by means of the openin 3] therein. At its outward end the plunger 39 is reducedindiameter and is slidably carried in a bushing 4-3 which is threaded into the outer open end of the bore ll in the sleeve to and which serves to abut the outer end of the compression spring 32. The plunger 39 is provided at its outer end with an operating handle 44 which includes a pair of laterally extending ears 45 through which is inserted a pivot pin 46. This pin serves to pivotally connect to the plunger 39 a first release link M. This link is formed at its inner end with an L-shaped extension 48 cooperable with a depending flange 59 preferably formed integrally with the swinging arm 21. The link 4-! is articulately connected by means'of a pivot pin 59 to one end of a second release link 5i, the other end of which is articulately connected by means of horizontal and vertical pivot pins 52 and 53 to bracket structure 5t rigidly secured to the left-hand trail H.

The depending bracket 30 at the rear end of the cradle 24 includes a downwardly and rear- Wardly extending hook portion 55 adapted to receive a locking member 56 which is formed with an eye that cooperates with and receives therethrough the hook 555. The locking member 56 is provided with a forwardly and downwardly ex tending shank adjustable in length and provided at its rear end with an eye 51 which is pivotally connected by means of a pin 5'! to an intermediate portion of the first locking member 35. When the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 4, the locking member 56 engages with the hook 55 and the plunger 39 engages through the opening 31 in the portion 35 of the looking member 35; the relationship between the axes of the pivots '34 and 57' is such that an over-center lock is provided and the cradle is thus rigidly locked to the transverse support l2 of the piece. A compression spring 58 is interposed between a recessed portion 59 of the swinging arm 2'! and a depending arm 60 formed on the locking member '35. The function of this spring is to effect downward and rearward movement of the member 35 when the plunger 39 is disengaged from the opening 37 in the locking member portion 35, whereupon the pivot pin 5'1 also moves downwardly and rearwardly with the result that the member 56 becomes disengaged from the hook E5 on the Then, when the gun 23'- is slightly depressed, that is, when its rear end is moved upwardly (the cradle 24; moving likewise), from the position of Figure 2, the swinging arm 27 and. its associated parts may swing downwardly, thus freeing the recess 3| on the hanging arm 21 from the pin 32 and keeping clear of the latter on elevation of the piece.

When the trails are closed and the travel lock secured b the plunger 39, the links ti and 41 will have positions slightly to the right of the positions of the parts shown in broken lines in 'Fig. 2. The positions dotted illustrate how, after the trails have been closed, the plunger 39 may be pressed back by entry of the tongue 36 of the locking member when the latter is manually pressed upwardly'to the position shown in full anemone lines. ,Thereafte-nthe plunger will' snap :to the right -=-and engage in the opening '31.- A torsion spring -6 I functions -betw-een the links 1! and-:5 I atthe pi vot bfl: thereof to urge the links yieldingly toward the f folded .position illustrated in broken lines. 1

In addition to the automatic release or the traveling loc-k upon spreading of the trails 'i'l, the invention-also provides means for releasing aprotective shield to the position assume'd during firing of the weapon. as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the-transverseaxle is provided with means in *the torm of brackets t2 only one of which is shown, providing apivot 63 on a transverse axis for a swinging shield or apron 6t. As shown in Fig.3, the apron 64 extends forwardl y in substantiallya horizontal planewhenthepiece is in traveling position. When the weapon is positioned-jforfiring, this apron assumesthe position shown-inibroken'li-nes in Fig.3; that is, a position in "which it affords protection to "the weapon and particularly totheguncrew.

The axle Hl is provided attransverseiy spaced points thereon with: a pair 'of forwardly-extending bearing-brackets tS-which journal a transverse rockshaft '66. This rockshaft has keyed thereto .at opposite ends "thereof depending hook members 67 which cooperate respectively with eyes 68 in the apron to lock the apron in traveling position and to release the apron for movement to firing position. Each hook fii is tensioned by a spring 61a into engagement with its respective eye :58. The hook member-6? at the left side of the weapon is formed with an upwardlyextending operating arm 69 which is con- :i-

nected to one'end'of-an ope-ratin means in the form jqf a *fiexible element "such -as a cable it. The cable "10 passes-through'a pulle it carried byaneyelion arr-upper portionof the axle it and extends rearwardly tea-point at which it is rigidly secured oya-clamping-block 13 to the lefthand-trail-l' l. 1

The apron fitisprovided with a second eye =14 to which is "connected-one-end of an operating cable 15. Thi cablelikewiseg xtends rearwardly and is .connected to the left-hand trail it by means of the clamp block 13.. Atits right-hand endjthe apron'bi is provided with-an eyeitgsimilar to the eyefl. A cable I! is connectedat its one end to the eye it and passes around *a'first r pulley I8 at the right side of the weapon and over a second pulley 19 at'the left side of the weapon, whence it extends rearwardly and is connected to the left-hand trail H by means of the clamping block I3.

In the operation of the artillery weapon provided with the locking and release means constructed according to the present invention the gun crew is enabled to speed up maneuvering and emplacing of the piece; likewise the crew is enabled to cut to a minimum the time required to prepare the weapon for transport. When the trails I! are in closed position and the weapon prepared for transport, theparts will be in the positions shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and in full lines in Figs. 3 and 4; that is to say, the traveling lock will be in place, the trails will be together, and the apron 64 will be in its horizontal position. When the gun .is disconnected from its prime mover and preparations are made to position it for firing, the trails I? are spread. This action results first in a tightening of the cable H! which in turn releases the hooks or latches 61 from the eyes 88 in the apron 64. The apron is thus permitted to swing downwardwardly about its transverse pivot t3.

1y to-thepos'lti'on shownin-broke'n lines inFig. 3.

Swinging movement of the apron downwardly is decelerated because of the connections afforded by the cables 75 and H; As the left-hand trail is swungoutwardly, the links it and 55 are extended and assume the positions shown in full lines in Fig. '2. The extension 48- on the inner linktl'. engages --the flange iiion the swinging arm 2? of the traveling lock and the caminim action there" ofresults in the withdrawal of the plunger-33 from the bore 31in the vertical portion 35 of the locking member 35. This action frees the looking member 355 from its locked connection with theswinging arm 2'! and the compression spring 58 urges the member 3'5 rearwardly, whichin turn results in release of the lockingmember 56 from the 11001155 onthe bracket 3% of the cradle 24.

Whenit iszdesiredto transport the piece, the trails l'l are moved together. The torsion spring Bl at the joint between the links M and 5! tends to'move the members upwardly toward the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, thus permitting the plunger .39 to move inwardly on the swinging arm 27. At the same time a member of the gun crewmoves arm 2? and alsothe locking members 35 and '56 into their previous positions, the cradle 24 having been lowered 'so that the pin '32 is in a position to enter the saddle recessestl on the swinging arm 2?. While :the members 35 and'56 areretainedinthis position the plunger 39 again engages'the bore 37 in the projecting portion 36 on the locking member 35. In'the event that the links ill and 5! become damagedor are otherwise rendered inoperative, resort may be had to the operating handle 46 for actuation of the plunger 39. As the left-hand trail ismoved inwardly, the cables '65 and T! are tightened and the apron 64 is drawn up- Since the latches or hooks 57 are spring pressed, they are re-eng-aged with the eye 68 and the apron is locked in its horizontal position. The trails are connected at their rearward ends in'th'e usual manner and the weapon is ready for transport.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the objects of the invention hereinb'efore enumerated are suitably achieved by the pre ferred construction illustrated. The attainment of these and other objects by other forms of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will be understood, of course, that the preferred form of invention illustrated is subject to various modifications and alterations coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina gun having a wheeled carriage and a pair of trails movable from a traveling position in which the trails are closed to a firing position in which the trails are spread apart, the combination of a protecting apron, means arranging said apron for movement from a first position facilitating travel of the carriage to a second position affording at least incidental protection to the carriage when the carriage is positioned for firing, a releasable lock operative to hold said apron in its first position, and means connected between said lock and at least one of said trails and operable in response to spreading of said trails to release said lock for movement of said apron to its second position.

2. In a gun having a wheeled carriage and a pair of trails movable from a traveling position in which the trails are closed to a firing position in which the trails are spread apart, the combination of a protecting apron, means arranging said apron for movement from a first position facilitating travel of the carriage to a second position affording at least incidental protection to the carriage when the carriage is positioned for firing, a releasable lock operative to hold said apron in its first position, means connected between said lock and at least one of said trails and operable in response to spreading of said trails to release said lock for movement of said apron to its second position, and means connected between said apron and at least one of said trails to return said apron to its, aforesaid first position when said trails are closed to traveling position.

3. In a gun having a wheeled carriage, a pair of trails movable from a traveling position in which the trails are closed to a firing position in which the trails are spread apart, a gun tube movable on the carriage in elevation or depression, a releasable lock on the carriage connectable to the tube and operative to hold the tube against elevation or depression, the combination of means connected between said lock and at least one of said trails and operable in response to spreading of said trails to release said lock to free the tube for pointing movement on the carriage.

4. In a gun having a carriage, a ground-engagging element movable thereon from a travel position out of engagement with the ground to a battery position for engaging the ground when the carriage is emplaced, a gun tube movable on the carriage in elevation or depression, a first releasable lock operative to hold the tube against elevation or depression movable when released to a cleared battery position, an armor shield movable from a nonprotecting travel battery position to at protecting position, a second releasable lock operative to hold the shield in travel position, means connected between the first releasable lock and the ground-engaging element and operable in response to movement of the ground-engaging element to battery position to release said first lock and free the gun for elevation pointing on the carriage, and means connected between the second releasable lock and the ground-engaging element and operable in response to movement of the ground-engaging element to battery position to release the second look for movement of the shield to protecting position.

5. In a gun having a carriage and a groundengaging element movable from a position out of engagement with the ground to a position engaging the ground When the carriage is positioned for firing, a protecting shield, means arranging said shield for movement from a nonprotecting position to a protecting position when the carriage is positioned for firing, a releasable, lock operative to hold said shield in nonprotecting position, and means connected between said lock and said ground-engaging element and operable in response to movement of said ground-engaging element to ground-engaging position to release said lock for movement of said shield to protecting position.

6. In a gun having a carriage, a ground-engaging element movable thereon from a travel position out of engagement with the ground to a bat tery position for engaging the ground, a gun tube movable on the carriage in elevation or depression, the combination of a releasable lock operative to hold said tube against movement, and means connected between said lock and said ground-engaging element and operable in response to movement of said ground-engaging element to battery position to release said lock and free said gun tube for pointing movement.

JOHN P. OSULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: I

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 624,640 Frybarger May 9, 1899 726,988 Von Reichenau May 5, 1903 1,298,040 Hadcock Mar. 25, 1919 1,600,302 Zimmerman Sept. 21, 1926 1,619,173 Zimmerman Mar. 1, 1927 1,826,982 Beardsley "-1 Oct. 13, 1931 2,039,198 Sutter et a1 Apr. 28, 1836 2,324,213 Joyce July 13, 1943 2,344,252 Kiang Mar. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,517 Great Britain 1913 815,063 France Apr. 5, 1937 843,438 France -1 Mar. 27, 1939 

